Preparation for treating psoriasis

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns the use of compounds having the formula   WHEREIN R1 and R2 are each hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, halogen or methoxy, and acyl derivatives thereof as agents for the treatment of psoriasis and other dermatological diseases with increased epidermal proliferation, said agents being incorporated with a dermatologically acceptable carrier.

United States Patent [1 1 Swanbeck et al.

1451 Aug. 12, 1975 PREPARATION FOR TREATING PSORIASIS [75] Inventors: Gunnar P. E. Swanbeck, Taby;

Giista L. Zetterberg; Karl Hubert Agback, both of Uppsala, all of Sweden [73] :Assignee: Pharmacia Aktiebolag, Uppsala,

Sweden 22 Filed: June 21, 1974 21 'Appl. No.: 481,735

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 29, 1973 Sweden 7309193 52 us. or 424/346; 424/340 [51] Int. Cl .1 A6lk 27/00 [58] Field of Search 424/346, 340

[56] References Cited OTHER PUBLlCATlONS Chemical Abstract Subject Index, Vol. 51-55, p. 8613s. Chemical Abstracts 54:6954(e) 1960.

Primary ExaminerAlbert T. Meyers Assistant Examiner-Norman A. Drezin Attorney, Agent, or FirmFred Philpitt 57 ABSTRACT The present invention concerns the use of compounds having the formula 6 Claims, No Drawings tended to be applied to the skin, it has a strongly irritating effect and, furthermore, the portions of the skin treated therewith become discoloured, which is a disadvantage from a cosmetic point of view. When using a preparation of thetype aforedescribed and forming partof the present state of the art, it is necessary to experiment with preparations containing low percentages of the active substance. It is usual practice to begin with an ointment containing 0.05 of active substance. It is often necessary to cease treatment when an irritation effect is reached. Very few people suffering from psoriasis can withstand treatment with an ointment containing more than 0.5 of the mentioned anthracene derivative. The aforementioned cosmetic disadvantage exhibited in discolouring of the irritated portions of the skin is accompanied with a technical disadvantage, insomuch as the clothes of the patient and the bedclothes in contact with said patient readily become stained. These stains are very difficult to remove by washing.

It is also known to use steroid preparations for treating psoriasis. The steroids, however, have strong medicinal disadvantages, since they have a skin-thinning effect and will facilitate the occurrence of infections.

ln conjunction with the advent of the present invention, it has been found that hydroxy-substituted phenanthrenes having the formula wherein R, and R are each hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, halogen or methoxy, and acyl derivatives of said hydroxy-substituted phenanthrenes have a good effect against psoriasis when administered in the form of an externally applied preparation without at the same time causing irritation and/or cosmetic unfavourable discolouration of the skin or textiles coming into contact with the patient, provided that the content of the active substance in the preparation is between 0.1 and I preferably between 0.5 and 5 calculated on the weight of the preparation. A preparation containing hydroxy-substituted phenanthrenes has thus a greater pharmaceutical scope than preparations based on trihydroxy-substituted anthracene.

Examples of the acyl derivative of the aforementioned compounds include acetyl and propionyl derivatives.

The present preparation may have the form of an ointment, a liniment, a solution, an emulsion or a cream. The vehicle may also be in powder or paste form.

The invention. will now be illustrated more clearly with reference to thefollowing examples:

EXAMPLE I A mixture was prepared from the following constituents:'-

9.0 g. l g.

2-phenanthrol pctrolatum The resulting mixture represented a preparation in the form of anjointment for treating psoriasis.

EXAMPLE 2 A mixture was prepared from the following constituents: i r

lphenanthrol. 7.0 g.

petrolatum The resulting mixture represented a preparation in the form of an ointment for treating psoriasis.

EXAMPLE 3 A mixture was prepared from the following constituents: i

2-phenanthrol 1.2 g. petrolatum V g,

The obtained mixture represented the preparation in the form of an ointment for treating psoriasis.

' EXAMPLE 4 A mixture was prepared from the following constituents:

l-phcnanthrol 0.5 g. pctrolatum 17 g.

The obtained mixture represented a preparation in the form of an ointment for treating psoriasis.

EXAMPLE 5 A mixture was prepared from the following constituents:

The obtained mixture represented a preparation in the form of a cream for treating psoriasis.

EXAMPLE 6 A mixture was prepared from the following constituents:

Z-phenanthrol 9.0 g liquid parafi'm 75 g Arlacel 481 30 g (glycerolwrhitan fatty acid esters, marketed by the company Atlas Chemie. Germany) lactic acid 3 g glycerol 9 g water to total 300 g The obtained mixture represented a preparation in the form of a cream for treating psoriasis.

Preparations according to the present invention have been tested in the relation to the previously known substance l,8,9-trihydroxyanthracene (dithranol) with respect to discolouration and irritation of the skin. l,8,9-trihydroxyanthracene has been tested in the form of two preparations, the composition of which lies within the range of what is normal when carrying out medical treatment with this compound. The results obtained are recited in the following Table:

prising O.l 10 per cent of a compound having the formula wherein R and R are each a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, halogen, and methoxy; and a dermatologically acceptable carrier, said per cent being calculated on the total weight of the preparation.

'2. A preparation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compound is l-phenanthrol.

3. A preparation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compound is 2-phenanthrol.

4. A preparation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the content of the compound is in the range of from 0.5 to 5 per cent.

5. A preparation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preparation is in the form of an ointment.

6. A method of treating psoriasis in a human suffering therefrom which comprises applying to the diseased skin of said human an effective amount of a preparation comprising 0.1 10 per cent of a compound having the formula wherein R and R are each a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, halogen, and methoxy; and a dermatologically acceptable carrier, said per cent being calculated on the total weight of the preparation. 

1. A PREPARATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS COMPRISING 0.1-10 PER CENT OF A COMPOUND HAVING THE FORMULA
 2. A preparation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compound is 1-phenanthrol.
 3. A preparation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compound is 2-phenanthrol.
 4. A preparation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the content of the compound is in the range of from 0.5 to 5 per cent.
 5. A preparation as claimed in cLaim 1, wherein the preparation is in the form of an ointment.
 6. A method of treating psoriasis in a human suffering therefrom which comprises applying to the diseased skin of said human an effective amount of a preparation comprising 0.1 - 10 per cent of a compound having the formula 